H&M Bans PFC Use

Sweden-based retailer H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M Group) has banned the use of
perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in all products it sells. All products ordered on or after Jan. 1,
2013, must be PFC-free.

PFCs — used to provide water, oil, grease, heat and stain repellency to a range of textile
and other products — have been found to be persistent in the environment and are associated with
adverse affects on humans and wildlife. H&M will replace PFCs in its products with
BIONIC-FINISH®ECO, a fluorocarbon-free water-repellent finish produced by Rudolf GmbH, Germany,
using a blend of branched comb polymers and dendrimers.

Last year, H&M and other fashion and sport brands initiated Joint Roadmap: Toward Zero
Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals, with the goal of eliminating hazardous materials discharge in
apparel and footwear supply chains by 2020. H&M also is on the steering committee of the
Apparel and Footwear Industry Restricted Substance List Management group, which strives to reduce
the usage and impact of harmful substances in the apparel and footwear chain.

September/October 2012

SHARE